Mayor Livingstone Woos Business with Tough Talk

Business in London will get quicker planning decisions and better transport under the new Mayor. The payback must be a commitment from business to make sure disadvantaged Londoners get their share of new jobs.

That's the deal outlined by Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone unveiling the new London Development Agency (LDA)'s strategy, the first strategic programme for economic growth in the capital in 16 years.

The launch was backed by Minister for London, Nick Raynsford. Business could have confidence that priority would be given to providing new office accommodation - even if this meant skyscrapers - and to simplifying planning generally as long as he ran the Great London Authority (GLA) stressed Mr Livingstone.

The Mayor, together with the LDA, would also press the case for key projects to improve transport such as Heathrow Terminal 5, new river crossings in the Thames Gateway as well as the East London Line and Cross Rail.

"This is a pro growth administration," added Mr Livingstone. "We have a can-do attitude. We will work with business and we will invest to make sure that London is a vibrant, competitive global city. "But we must also make sure that London people get their fair share of the new jobs."

London had areas of poverty, unemployment and deprivation, said Mr Livingstone. "In these days of the global economy, it is vital that cities have strategies to manage their economies. Otherwise citizens lose out. In London some of our poorest citizens exist alongside centres of international wealth. "I call upon business to work with us to make sure London's dispossessed have a chance to get the new jobs.

"The prosperity of London is vital to the country's prosperity. Londoners must not lose out." The LDA is London's business led economic development agency, working to the Mayor to deliver the economic aspects of a programme for renewal.

The new document, London's Economic Development Strategy adds up to a blueprint for building London's economy and is guided by four key priorities:

• economic growth
• knowledge and learning
• diversity, inclusion, renewal
• sustainable development.

It has won the backing of 16 key organisations in the capital ranging from London First and the CBI to the London Tourist Board and Convention centre.

"The remarkable thing about this new strategy is not just that we have produced a charter for London," said LDA Chief Executive, Michael Ward.

"But this charter has won endorsement from a wide range of key players on the London scene. We have a unique partnership supporting the economic leadership of the LDA, underlining the strength of our common agenda."

Notes to Editors:
London's Economic Development Strategy will be launched today (Tuesday July 17) at 1.10 by Minister for London, Nick Raynsford and London's Mayor Ken Livingstone at Bernie Spain Gardens (next to Oxo Tower Wharf) London SE1.